I'm just about ready to pull the trigger on a used tow vehicle. The SUV has custom 22" rims with low profile tires, the previous owner did not use it for towing anything. I don't have any experience with this type of tire, will I have any problems towing my Ranger bass boat? Will I be at greater risk for a blowout? Thanks for your insight.

Low profile tires are not as flexible as regular tire, because they don't have as much sidewall "cushion" to absorb impacts from bumps in the road. They are for show, not for go.I think you should swap them out for regular tires and rims.Ask a local tire shop.

While 22 may look cool. The load range may not be acceptable for towing. Some people go cheap when replacing 22 so check the UTCG and load range on your specific tires. There are a few manuf. that offer 22 with the correct load range capable of towing but they arent cheap even at my cost. Also if the previous owner never intend it for towing he probably did not have a tow package at the time of purchase. The one thing I would recommend adding if it does not have is a trans cooler and if it's an import Suv a power steering cooler.

I am running 33" tires on 20" rims and they do fine. They are a stiffer ride than the 33" tire I had on 15" rims. Currently I have 6.5" of side wall. My experience has been the 15" rims and 33" tires had to much sidewall and allowed the truck to be harder to control in corners, though they were a softer ride. The newer 33" on 20" handle much better but this is on a Bronco with a short wheel base. It has an excellent turning radius but the trailer wagged a little easy due to the short wheel base and tall tires. Different tires and rims fixed that and softer springs softened the ride back up. All in all I would want 5" to 7.5" of sidewall for the best ride.

Last edited by offduty on Fri Oct 14, 2011 2:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.

? About low pros on tow vehicles just look at icconelli and ish they both run em as a matter of fact they match the tires and wheels on there trailers as well. So it cant be too bad. Would I, no because of the fact that if you get a flat out in the middle of nowhere how easy do you think its gonna be to find a spare 22 inch low pro tire lying around?

DAKINE198 hit it on the head!!!! Some people go cheap when replacing 22 so check the UTCG and load range on your specific tires. There are a few manuf. that offer 22 with the correct load range capable of towing.

I have Lincoln Navigator with 22" rims with low profile tires for the last 9 years and have not had one problem with them. And I use to fish 4 to 6 days a week from so cal to nor cal! As long as you rotate your tires and balance them every so often your good..I perfer the Toyo 's little pricey but worth it in the long run. The only thing is when your towing your boat and you hit some pot holes at 55 to 65 mph you hold your breath for about 10 seconds hoping you didnt puncture your sidewalls of your tires. 22" rims only look good with low pro tires!

There is something else to consider also, it may have has a lift kit installed as well. Not all lift kits, butt most change the front geometry in negative ways that cause the vehicle handle and or ride poorly and some will never align properly. For a tow vehicle I would take that into consideration.

22" tires can work just fine on a tow vehicle, most manufactures make all the new 22" tires in extra load and should handle your weight just fine.

Yes they do have a better chance for blowouts since they have smaller sidewalls.

These tires are truely made for performance sport trucks I would not expect long wear from low pro's.They have a shallow tread depth to eliminate squirm for better handeling.

What I would be most concernd with is the brand!

There are many low cost 22" in the market and they are cheap for a reason,"poor construction" "poor Quality"

Stick with better branded Tires in 22" like

BridgestoneGoodyearToyoNitto

Tires to stay away from areWanliSunnySunew

On the other hand I do not like low pro trailer tires and wheels since trailers have no shocks to absorb any impacts they take.This makes low pro trailer tires "more likely" to encure sidewall breaks. Doesnt mean they wont work or handle the load.